REAL
WEDDINGS
nowweddingmagazine.com
LOCAL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT:
Mari Alejos-Puente
of Passport Polish
Micro
Wedding
Inspiration!
INSIDE
LIVE STREAMING
YOUR WEDDING:
WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
WEDDING PARTY
GIFT IDEAS
october 2020
20+
Years
1000s
of Weddings
Unlimited
Creativity
Alchemy Events
Wedding Planner + Event Designer
Exceptional, unexpected, unparalleled.
alchemyeventsnola.com
Elegant or out-of-the-box, let’s make some magic!
BRIAN JARREAU
MON SOLEIL
SARAH ALLEMAN
THE WEDDING MATINEE
SULLY CLEMMER
STUDIO TRAN
DARK ROUX
DARK ROUX
AMIN RUSSELL
j e s s i c a t h e p h o t o g r a p h e r . c o m
OCTOBER 2020
CONTENTS
FEATURES
10
POINTE
A ballet inspired micro wedding
editorial at Tremé Market Branch
44
IRIDESCENT
Modern micro wedding
inspiration at The Cannery
REAL WEDDINGS
24
Naomi Hill + Kristie Bardell
30
Allison Hymel + Todd Nielsen
34
Ashley Jackson + Peter Rupp
40 Melanie Parent + Duke Williams
54
Caitlin Bumby + Donald Roof
6 A NEW PERSPECTIVE
A letter from our Creative Director Rena Sweeney
22 THE COSMETIC CHEMIST
OF NEW ORLEANS
Mari Alejos-Puente of Passport Polish
38 TO STREAM OR NOT TO STREAM?
Everything you didn’t know you need to
PLANNING
RESOURCES
Featured Articles
STYLE FILES
18
Blushing Bride
19 Pretty in Pink Party Box
23
It’s a (Wedding) Party!
52
Iridescent Crush
53 Pop + Sparkle Party Box
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Alleman Photography
know about live streaming your wedding
@nolawedding
@neworleansweddings
@nowmagazine504
@nowmagazine504
we're social !
Follow NOW Weddings Magazine for daily inspiration.
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Rena Sweeney
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Angie D’Ingianni
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Dayna Dufrene
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FOR ENGAGED COUPLES
Our blog is filled with tons of great resources,
inspiration, wedding stories and photo editorials
that will help you plan an amazing wedding.
FOR THE WEDDING PROFESSIONAL
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P.O. Box 1148
Metairie, LA 70004
NOW Weddings Magazine is published
monthly by New Orleans Weddings
Magazine, Inc. Copyright 2020. All rights
reserved. Reproduction of any part of this
publication without the express written
consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
NOW Weddings Magazine is a registered
trademark of NOWM, Inc. The use of
the trademark is strictly prohibited. The
information in this publication is believed
to be accurate. However, New Orleans
WeddingsMagazine cannot and does not
guarantee its accuracy. NOW Weddings
Magazine cannot and will not be held liable
for the quality or performance of goods and
services provided by advertisers or any other
portion of this publication
NOWWeddingMagazine.com
About The Cover
Look for new issues of
NOW Weddings Magazine every month.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Brian Jarreau Photography
ON LOCATION: Tremé Market Branch
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Alchemy Events
HAIR + MAKEUP: Tina Rodosta, Verde Beauty Studio
NAILS: Passport Polish
GOWN: MaeMe The Bridal Boutique
FLOWERS: Berry Blossom Flowers
CAKE: Sucrette Tailored Confections
JEWELRY: Diamonds Direct
BALLERINA: Kaylin Wilson
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 3
WHILE 2020 HAS BEEN AN UNUSUAL YEAR FOR ALL OF US, I KNOW THAT MANY ARE LOOKING TOWARD THE WINTER
with hope that we are reaching a turning point. Jessica Burke, owner and publisher of NOW Weddings Magazine, and I have the
same hopes not only for our industry but for this publication as well. We have used this time that our industry has been shut down
to consider how we can best connect with couples and vendors, continuing to bring you not only a beautiful publication but one
that is an educational resource built upon our more than 40 combined years in the local event and wedding industry.
This October issue focuses on micro weddings, not only
because many couples are opting to have them this year, but also
because we see this as an opportunity. The single biggest factor in
any wedding budget is the guest count; the budget dictates what
venue you can use, what level of bar service you offer, what type of
food you will serve, etc.
While we know there is disappointment for the wedding plans
you once had, we’d like to encourage you to consider this situation
from another perspective: This is your opportunity to have an
intimate wedding of those closest to you and treat them to an
unbelievable experience!
With a small guest count, you’ll have room in the budget to
splurge on decor, upgrade the menu, and really do something extra
special and unique that you may not otherwise have been able to
do.
Of course, even though many couples are opting for micro
weddings, we’re seeing just as many including their entire original
guest list virtually by live streaming the wedding. We wouldn’t want
these guests to feel left out, so we’ve also included some fabulous
guest box ideas in this issue so that all of your guests who may be
watching via live stream can feel even more a part of the celebration
with their own mini cake, champagne, favors and more. Jessica and
I have seen huge success with the guest boxes we’ve created for
micro events over the summer and found that guests absolutely
love receiving them!
With all of that in mind, I am thrilled as we launch our new digital
format along with the interactive features we’ve built in. We hope
you’ll enjoy the new connectivity this provides along with behind
the scenes footage, interviews and insights like you’ve never seen
before. As we continue to be at the forefront of our industry, we’re
here to help make your wedding amazing, whatever “amazing”
means to you.
My favorite quote is by the iconic Dolly Parton, “Find out who
you are and do it on purpose.” So whoever you are, take this time
to celebrate it! If who you are is to go ahead and get married with a
micro wedding now, we’ve got you covered. If you’re a wait for the
“big” party person, we’re here for you too. As we shift from bi-annual
to monthly issues, we’ll also continue to publish content for those of
you who are electing to push back your wedding dates to remain
true to what might be your original vision of a larger gathering.
With all of our publications now living online, you’ll never have
to worry about missing something just because it’s gone from
newsstands! You can come back and visit anytime! Of course, you’ll
still be able to order a printed copy of the magazine, but with our
fully interactive issues, website, vlog and soon to be released NOW
Weddings app, we’ve got you virtually covered.
Thank you for your continued support of the wedding industry
as we work to serve you during these unusual times!
Best Wishes,
Rena Sweeney
Rena Sweeney
Creative Director, NOW Weddings Magazine +
Owner, Alchemy Events
P.S. We’d love to hear your story! Be sure to submit
your engagement and wedding announcements on our
website. You may just see yourself in the spotlight!
6 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
A New
Perspective
:: From the Creative
Director’s Desk ::
We typically spend 13+ hours on set for
our editorial photo shoots and when all
the work is done, we like to have a little
fun on the set. We couldn’t resist taking
a photo with ELEMENT’S carousel horse
(we named her Betsy) from our Iridescent
Editorial for this issue. Follow us on Ins-
tagram @neworleansweddings for behind
the scenes fun (and mischief) as we create
each new issue! (LEFT TO RIGHT) Jessica
Burke, Publisher; Dayna Dufrene, Account
Executive; Rena Sweeney, Creative
Director
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 7
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.4466 | orders@toulousegourmet.com
toulousegourmet.com
Jessica The Photographer
DELIVERY WEDDINGS CORPORATE EVENTS PRIVATE EVENTS
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.8351 | info@cannerynola.com
cannerynola.com
Jessica The Photographer
WEDDING CEREMONIES RECEPTIONS DINNER PARTIES EVENTS
10 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
CLICK
FOR THE
BEHIND THE
SCENES
VIDEO
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 11
Set an opulent tone for your wedding with this
elegant vellum invitation suite featuring a peony
design and suede insert from Upscales Custom’s
Rue Royal Collection.
To create this organic, flowing ivory and blush
bouquet, Amy Marshall of Berry Blossom Flowers
used bleached hanging amaranthus, astrantia,
ranunculus, delphinium and one of the most sought
after wedding flowers, Blushing Bride protea.
Delicate petals and gold leaf embellish this petite
cake by Sucrette Tailored Confections.
(Below) A.JAFFE round solitaire engagement ring
with matching wedding band, from Diamonds Direct.
12 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
From Pearl’s Place, this decadent ivory and
blush fit and flare gown features a sheer
strapless bodice with off the shoulder bands,
all over lightly hand beaded three dimensional
lace, low back, and chapel train with horsehair
hem.
Kaylin is wearing 18 karat white gold flower
earrings, adorned with 1.60 carats of brilliant
round diamonds; A.JAFFE pear engagement
ring with diamonds down the shank and
matching twisted wedding band; 14 karat
white gold bracelet adorned with 7.20 carats
of diamonds, all from Diamonds Direct.
All
of
Passport
Polish’s
nail
colors
are
inspired
by
exotic
destinations.
Here,
Kaylin
wears
Passport
Polish’s
press-on nails in St. Barth, a nude polish
inspired by the beaches of this luxurious
island it’s named after.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 13
“For this shoot, I was inspired by
the idea of elegant chandeliers
laying in the midst of an old
building.
I immediately knew Tremé Market
Branch was the perfect location,
with their dedication to the
original architectural elements of
the building including plaster and
beautiful windows that are almost
100 years old. This was one of
those times when everything just
clicked because I also immediately
knew I wanted a beautiful, strong
woman dancing on pointe. I could
see her jumping the broom with
the graceful movements of a ballet
dancer and that led to us using
blush tones and a lot of tulle for
the shoot. We then incorporated
a beautiful bouquet that had the
same freeform movement as the
dancer and a gorgeous invitation
with the same soft feminine
qualities as the shoot, including
the pink colors and beautiful
vellum wrap.”
- Rena Sweeney,
Alchemy Events
ELEMENT’s crystal ball chandeliers
add an amazing vintage glow whether
hanging or, as shown here, grouped
as elegant conglomerations on the
ground. Here we lined the aisle with
five foot tall candelabra and gold oval
back chairs for guest seating.
14 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
CLICK
TO SEE
MORE!
theNOWBride.com | N.O.W | 21
From MaeMe The Bridal Boutique, Kaylin is wearing
“Ensleigh”. This gown features a plunge neckline, V-side
cutouts and V-back details. The sheer bodice includes
sparkling linear lace detailing and embroidered tulle.
The A-line skirt reveals a sultry split that shows the leg
through a thin outer layer of tulle.
For Kaylin’s look, Tina Rodosta of Verde Beauty Studio
wanted to keep the makeup “light, beautiful and bridal,
but defined.” To achieve this, she focused on defining her
brows, used a dark eyeliner with a nice highlight finished
with a soft pink lip.
(ABOVE & RIGHT) Kaylin is wearing A.JAFFE round
solitaire engagement ring with matching wedding band;
14 karat white gold bracelet adorned with 7.20 carats of
diamonds; 18 karat white gold dangles accentuated with
2.20 carats of diamonds. All from Diamonds Direct.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 15
Kaylin is wearing “Janice” from MaeMe The Bridal Boutique.
This gown features a double slit and a chapel length train.
The delicate Alençon lace bodice pairs beautifully with a
circular cut chiffon skirt. If you’re looking for something a
little more traditional, this style is also available with a classic
chiffon skirt without slits.
From Wedding Brooms by Monie Love, a wedding keepsake
to
be
passed
down
from
generation
to
generation.
Jump the Broom with this beautiful custom lace and pearl wrapped
broom.
Kaylin is wearing A.JAFFE round solitaire engagement ring with
matching wedding band; 14 karat white gold bracelet adorned with
7.20 carats of diamonds; 18 karat white gold dangles accentuated with
2.20 carats of diamonds, all from Diamonds Direct.
Kaylin is wearing a V-neck, A-line lace and tulle gown from Pearl’s Place.
This gown features leg-lengthening slit and optional tulle shoulder
bows. Kaylin is wearing 18 karat white gold flower earrings, adorned
with 1.60 carats of brilliant round diamonds; A.JAFFE pear
engagement ring with diamonds down the shank and matching
twisted wedding band; 14 karat white gold bracelet adorned with 7.20
carats of diamonds; 14 karat white gold necklace with 4.00 carats of
brilliant round diamonds, all from Diamonds Direct.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 17
CLICK
TO SEE A
BEHIND THE
SCENES VIDEO
ABOUT
THE LOOK
1. From Chef Jason Lewis
of J. Lewis Ice Carvings,
decadent chocolate-covered
strawberries and grapes (yes,
grapes!) paired with creme
filled chocolate chip cookie
sandwiches drizzled with white
chocolate. Call for pricing (504)
715-5643, jlewisicecarvings.com
2. The 3.4oz Liquid Hand Sanitizer
Spray Bottle from Seven Three
Distilling Co. is 80% Ethyl Alcohol
and <1% Hydrogen Peroxide. It’s the
perfect size to take with you on the
go! $4/ea. seventhreedistilling.com
3. Bottega Rosé Gold Split
Bottle, made in Italy and sourced
locally from Cost Plus World
Market, this sparkling wine is
made with Pinot Noir grapes
with aromas of grapefruit and
berries, worldmarket.com
4. Everyone knows the highlight
of a wedding reception is the cake
cutting. Delight your guests with
their own tiny wedding cake so
they can join in the sweet, sweet
fun with you! Gambino’s Bakery
can create miniature versions of
your cake for your guests to enjoy
from afar. Call for a custom quote:
1-800-426-2466, gambinos.com
5. Handmade mini soap favors
from 1803 Soap are made locally
in Metairie. Soap favors are
individually packaged and come
in a variety of colors. $2.50/ea,
minimum order: 10, 1803soap.com
N.O.W.
STYLE
pretty in pink party box
Treat your guests who are attending your wedding virtually to a socially distant wedding goody
box! Who wouldn’t love receiving a delivery of sweets, bubbly and of course, wedding favors?!
what's
in
the
box?
18 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
CLICK
FOR A PEEK
INSIDE
THE BOX
N.O.W.
STYLE
blushing bride style
Soft and elegant wedding inspiration.
1. Couture Two-Tone Natural Pink Diamond Double Halo Ring from Lafayette-
based Dianna Rae Jewelry. Shop online: diannaraejewelry.com 2. Montana by
Calla Blanche is a Lace and tulle A-line gown that features a soft sweetheart
neckline and whimsical tulle sleeves. Calla Blanche gowns are available
locally at MaeMe The Bridal Boutique (maemebridal.com) in Metairie,
callablanche.com 3. MARIEE Blush Bow Evening/Wedding Heel By Liv Hart,
$385. Also offers interchangable straps for bow, plain or crystals. Order online:
bellabelleshoes.com 4. Jump the Broom with this beautiful Faux Custom Crystal
Accented Decorative Wedding Broom by Slidell-based, Wedding Brooms
by Monie Love, $195. Order online: etsy.com/shop/BroomsbyMonieLove
5. Luxury Hand Embroidered and Hand Beaded Face Mask With Satin
Lining, Filter Pocket and Nose Wire from New Orleans based Mazaya Market,
$69.99. Order online: etsy.com/shop/MazayaMarket 6. Letterpress Wedding
Vow Books on Handmade Paper with Silk Ribbon (also available in single
“Our Wedding”) by Shreveport-based, Line Ave Calligraphy, $35-$70.
Order online: etsy.com/shop/LineAveCalligraphy
Happily ever afters begin at...
www.RoyalPalmfpc.com | sales@royalpalmfpc.com
1901 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, Louisiana | 504.644.4100
Stacy Marks Photography
Genovese Ashford Studios
Stacy Marks Photography
20 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com